Persisting with VIP culture

FEDERAL Religious Affairs Minister Allama Hamid Saeed Kazmi has good news for intending pilgrims: those who missed the draw over the past two years can perform Haj now. At a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, he briefed journalists about the number of pilgrims performing Haj under the official scheme and the arrangements made for their accommodation while keeping it secret that the ministry did not have to hold draw because the number of applications were far less than the available slots. It is, however, disturbing to find the government restoring the Haj quota of the President, the PM and the members of Parliament. The decision badly reflects on the current democratic dispensation, which does not tire of reaffirming its pledge to do away with the VIP culture. Those running the Ministry of Religious Affairs should not ignore the fact that the additional cost for the "all-expenses-paid" junket of the 'privileged 7630' will be borne either by the government itself or by ordinary pilgrims. The decision therefore needs to be reversed.